It's Like Riding a Bicycle.

It all comes back to you. I haven't been to Zumba in 3 weeks & was a little worried that I might not remember some of the steps. But for the most part, it all came right back to me. It took a little more out of me again since I haven't had much in terms of cardio in the last 3 weeks. In addition, I went upstairs to the weight room & worked my legs & back a little. I decided not to do arms since I'm planning on going to Joyce's scult & abs class tomorrow & I didn't think they could take it two days in a row - lol. Well I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon! Oh, & yes Tonya, I promise I'll be there on Saturday.

Thank You Brock!!

Well, I can thank my husband that I got my running training in today. I really didn't feel like it. I felt sluggish & it was quite cold outside. Aliza had fallen asleep in my arms & I had a million other excuses why I could've skipped the jog/walk training. But, my wonderful husband gave me a little push without being too pushy - he simply said that he would watch the kids while I did my run first & then he'd do his second since I took top priority. By the way, he ran with me the other day too & we're kinda hoping that this turns into something we enjoy doing together. Brock & I neither one have a whole lot of hobbies, so this would be a great healthy hobby for us to have together & eventually include our kids in. Anyway, the jog/run was a little easier today & I feel so much better after doing it. Tomorrow is Zumba - yipee, I've missed this. I'm on my way to a great year!! Hope you all have a wonderful evening!

I Did It!

Well, I've started on my to learn how to run. I'm using coolrunning.com's training plan "Couch to 5K." For most people, the initial plan is probably a piece of cake. You start out with a brisk 5 minute walk & then alternate between 60 seconds of jogging & 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes. Sounds easy enough, right? Well let me tell you, I'm not most people - it completely kicked my butt. That's ok, because I finished & I did all of it - just as it called for. Yes, I did it panting heavily & thinking that I might just drop dead right then, but I did it. I'm happy! It's a good start to a new year with lots of new goals.

I may regret putting this out there, but Runningmom suggested I might want to try running in the Murfreesboro Half Marathon in October this year & I've decided that's a great goal. According to coolrunning.com I should be able to run 3 miles in 9 weeks, so surely I can train enough to make a half marathon by October. Any of you who want to do it with me please feel free to let me know. If I know I have others counting on me, I tend to do better. Typically, I will let myself down before I let down others. Well, I'm outta here - have a great weekend!!

2008 - A Reflection.

In every education class that I took while pursuing my degree, the idea of reflection was driven home. I don't know if every education program at every college puts as much emphasis on this as MTSU does or not, but I can tell you that reflection has taught me how to be a better teacher each time I give a lesson. If the reflection process has helped me that much in my professional life, I figure, why not give it a try on my attempt to regain control of my health. So, here I go.

What has worked for me this year: 1) Not being obsessed with a specific diet plan that lays out each meal for me - it seems that when I've tried this, I'm successful for a few days to a few weeks, then BOOM, I've failed & I'm done forever. 2) Relying primarily on exercise to drop the weight. 3) Support - the idea of putting the good, the bad, & the ugly out there for the rest of the world to see on the Internet scared me a bit, but I must say that when I feel like quitting that I think of all of you & keep going. You all know just what to say to lift me up when I'm down & I appreciate each of you for it. 4) Realizing that people who are fit are not judging you when you walk into the gym/class/etc. I have actually found that a lot of the people that I was originally intimidated by are some of my most vocal supporters - you know who you are & THANK YOU! 5) Finally understanding that I didn't gain this 80+ extra pounds in a matter of weeks & that it will take some time to drop it. This is a lifestyle change & when I fall off the wagon - I just need to get back up & on it again.

This year, I hope to do a better job making healthy nutritional choices. Although I don't believe in following a specific diet, I will be trying to follow a general plan about how many calories/fat/carbs/etc that I want to consume on a daily basis. I hope to increase my activity & try some new things as far as exercise goes. Yes, I totally plan to keep up going to Zumba, but I'd really like to gradually teach myself to run a little. There's a small group of ladies that I would like to try & run with some, but I feel like I need to drop a little more weight before I am anywhere near their league (not because they care if I'm fat or not, but because I physically won't be able to keep up with their pace). I also really want to incorporate some strength training in my program this year - this is a big hurdle for me because I have major mental issues about the weight room. Honestly, I'd like to try a spin class, but again, from what I've heard I think I need to get a little more physically fit first, but my goal is to try it by April.

So as we close out this year & begin to look forward to a new one. I am happy with my progress so far. Even after the gain during the holidays, I've lost a total of 17.5 lbs since beginning this journey at the end of September. Since mid-October, I've lost a total of 14 inches off my body. I can't wait to see what I push myself to achieve this year. My overall weight loss goals include dropping another 67.5lbs this year & I want to lose about 6 sizes. I realize that this is a hefty goal, but with hard work & determination - I totally believe I can achieve it. Also this year will be my 15 year high school reunion. I haven't gone to any so far; quite frankly, because I was too embarrassed to go. I may not be at my final goal by then, but I totally know that I can be close & finally after many, many years of being self conscience, be comfortable in my own skin.

Happy New Year to each of you!! Thank you for all your support!!!

DETERMINED!

I've made terrible choices over the 2.5 weeks & now it's time to deal with the effects of it all. My official weight is up 2.5 lbs from my low point. Considering all that I've consumed & how little I've moved - I'm ok with this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy that I did this to myself. If I'm honest with myself I know that I COULD have gotten some form of exercise in, even when my class isn't meeting & that I most certainly COULD have not splurged quite so much on all the holiday fare. That being said, what is done, is done. Now it's time to pick back up, refocus & recharge. I've decided to join Scale Junkie's Healthy You Challenge this year, so I'm starting my weight tracker over at the bottom of the page. So please, don't think that I've gained it all back or anything - but I'm setting a new goal for a new year & a new me! I've also decided to join Sparkpeople since I've heard a lot of good things about it - any of you who have experience with this, please feel free to jump in & share.

What I'm still happy about? I didn't gain as much as last year. I had more self control than last year. I'm not quitting! As they say, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. My philosophy on all of this is that I'm trying to change my life permanently, not just lose some weight. Of course, I want to see the weight come off, but mostly I want to be healthy & teach my girls by example how to be healthy & active. I am determined to be successful!

Ready to Get Going Again!

I'm so ready to get back to normal. We have our last Christmas get-together tonight then things should get back to normal. I have over indulged, but probably not as much as last year - so I'm considering it a success. I won't post my official weight up/down until Monday, but I will tell you this, I did weigh out of curiosity yesterday & was only up 1/2 lb - any gain is not good, but considering I haven't been to the rec center in 2 weeks & have eaten well more than my share of heavy foods, I'm ok with this. My classes don't resume until after the new year, but I'm planning on at least walking the track some next week to start feeling better again. It amazes me how much worse I feel when I'm not exercising. We were blessed to have a great Christmas with our family - Liza was sick, but other than that it was great! Hope you all had a great holiday & I wish each of you the very best in the coming year!!

I'm still here.

Don't worry - I haven't dropped off the face of the earth or anything, we've just been amazingly busy & I'm just trying to maintain during these busy holiday times. I haven't really done much in terms of the weight loss journey & kinda don't expect to until they start classes back up at the beginning of the year. I guess they cancel them because so many people are crazy busy & can't come during those times anyway.

Last Friday we took the girls to Opryland to see the lights - it was fun, but not the WOW I was expecting. We had a good time nonetheless. Saturday was a busy baking/sewing day trying to get things ready for the holidays & then Brock & I left the girls with my parents & went out for dinner for our anniversary (8 years today, by the way). I told him that we finally have been married longer than we dated (only by 3 months - lol). After our normal Sunday church activities, we had Brock's family over for dinner. We had fun, and the kids LOVE playing with their cousins. I wanted everyone to come over while we still had all of our holiday decorations up. Today, my mom & I finished up our Christmas shopping & were gone literally all day. So please don't think that I've given up or don't care about everyone - we're just really, really busy. In case I don't post again before Christmas, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! I promise, I'll be back on my normal schedule after the new year. Hope each of you have a wonderful, blessed holiday season!!